Macrophages activation and nitric oxide alterations in mice treated with Pleurotus florida.

Macrophages play an essential role against invading pathogen and malignancies. The present study addresses the in vivo effect of P.florida extract on nitric oxide (NO) production and cell viability of macrophages. Forty Balb/c mice were divided to 8 groups and were treated with different doses of P. florida aqueous extract. MTT test has been performed in order to evaluate viability of intraperitoneal macrophages and Griess method to measure NO production of macrophages. The results indicated that cell viability of macrophages significantly increased by oral administration of P. florida with 200, 500 and 1000mg/kg/day. Also, NO production significantly increased by oral administration of doses of 500 and 1000mg/kg/day of P. florida. but i.p. injection of P. florida with 10,20,50,100mg/kg/day significantly decreased NO production by macrophages. This study showed a macrophage activator function for P. florida and also may confirms its anti inflammatory role. Further studies are needed to address effective phytochemicals of this edible mushroom and their mechanisms.